This archive report was first published on 13 August 2020.
As the election season heats up in Tanzania, the country's politics is witnessing a significant shift. The air is filled with excitement and anticipation, a stark contrast to the past five years under President John Magufuli's rule.
Magufuli's presidency has been marked by strict regulations on political activity, with many opposition politicians facing arrest, detention, and intimidation. The situation came to a head three years ago when a senior member of parliament was attacked and left for dead, with 16 slugs lodged in his body.
However, the tide is turning, and opposition politician Tundu Lissu has emerged as a strong candidate against Magufuli. Lissu, who was attacked and left for dead, has risen from the ashes and is now leading the charge against the president.
On July 31, Lissu landed in Dar es Salaam to a tumultuous reception by an adoring crowd. His candidacy has been endorsed by Chadema, and it is likely that other opposition outfits will follow suit.
However, Lissu's candidacy is not without its challenges. The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties, which has assumed imperial powers under a new law, could potentially nullify his candidacy, throwing the election process into chaos.
Despite these challenges, Lissu is expected to put up a strong fight against Magufuli. His candidacy has been welcomed by many, who see him as a worthy opponent for the president.
On the Zanzibar side, veteran opposition kingpin Seif Sharif Hamad is running for president under the ACT-Wazalendo ticket. His candidacy has created a major political earthquake, and catapulted ACT-Wazalendo's founder Zitto Zuberi Kabwe to the forefront of Tanzania's politics.
As the election season heats up, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the outcome is far from certain. Will old grievances persist, or will the country be able to move forward and have a reasonably free, fair, and credible election?
